Planning a move can be stressful, and Moving out of Illinois brings its own unique challenges. Whether you’re heading to a neighboring state or venturing across the country, leaving the Land of Lincoln and the iconic Windy City requires thoughtful preparation and a solid plan.
Why Are People Leaving Illinois? A Look at the Illinois Exodus
Illinois was once a magnet for newcomers. In the 19th century, European immigrants flocked to the state, followed by African Americans in the 20th century. But those glory days have faded. Today, Illinois faces a stark reality: it ranks 3rd in the U.S. for population loss, trailing only New Jersey and California.
Chicago’s strategic location made it a vital transportation hub during the age of railroads and steamships. The city served as a crucial link between western prairie farmers and east coast markets. Its diverse industries – factories, shipyards, and slaughterhouses – created a thriving job market that attracted workers from across the globe. Immigrants from Ireland, Germany, Poland, Italy, and Jewish communities saw Chicago as their gateway to the American Dream. This influx transformed the city’s demographics dramatically: by 1870, nearly four out of five Chicago residents were either immigrants or children of immigrants.
Today, however, Illinois is seeing a different story—a mass exodus.
By the time World War I ended, Illinois attracted another wave of migration. Around half a million African Americans moved north from the South in search of better opportunities during the mid-20th century. While farming still shaped much of the southern and western parts of the state, Chicago grew into a thriving city.
Chicago became a symbol of the American urban dream. It was famously portrayed in pop culture as a family-friendly city, featured in stories like the Griswolds from Vacation, the Winslows from Family Matters, the Portokaloses from My Big Fat Greek Wedding and the McAllisters from Home Alone. By the time Ferris Bueller took his iconic day off, Chicago was already celebrated as a cultural melting pot in American life.
Illinois is no longer a top destination. It ranks third in the U.S. for people moving out, just behind New Jersey and California. In 2022, there were far more people searching to leave Illinois than move in—only 42 new residents arrived for every 100 people leaving the state.
Key Insights from 2022 Migration Data
- For every 42 people moving to Illinois, 100 are leaving, making it the third-highest state for outbound moves in the U.S. this year.
- The top destinations for people leaving Illinois are Florida (15.31%), Texas (11.49%), and California (10.18%).
- Schaumburg, Illinois, is seeing the sharpest decline, with nearly 75% of moves being outbound.
- The top five cities Illinois residents moved to in 2022 were Ocala (Florida), Seattle, Austin, Los Angeles and New York.
- The most popular moving route in early 2022 was from Downers Grove, Illinois, to Ocala, Florida.
- Rockford is the largest city in Illinois experiencing a big population loss, shrinking by 5.5%.
- Among mid-sized cities, North Chicago lost 10.94% of its residents.
- The small city of Nevada, Illinois, has seen the steepest decline over the last decade, with a staggering 84% drop in population.
Goodbye, Land of Lincoln – Why People Are Leaving Illinois
From 2020 to 2021, Illinois experienced a dramatic population decline, losing over 141,000 residents—a drop more severe than most other states. By 2022, the situation had become so dire that half of Illinois residents were considering leaving, primarily citing high taxes as their motivation.
Illinois’ property tax rate ranks highest in the nation, with residents paying a larger share of their home’s value in taxes than anywhere else in America. The state’s overall tax burden—combining income, property, sales, and business taxes—ranks 10th highest nationally, creating a heavy financial load for residents.
Several factors contribute to Illinois’ shrinking population: the decline in manufacturing jobs, high housing costs, reduced immigration, falling birth rates, and the “brain drain” of college students who leave for opportunities elsewhere and never return to their communities.
The exodus carries serious financial consequences. According to IRS data, Illinois lost over $16 million in tax revenue between 2019 and 2020 from outward migration alone. This depleted tax base means less funding for critical needs like infrastructure repairs, education improvements, and job-creating initiatives that could help attract new residents. Even more concerning, Illinois has hemorrhaged over $8 billion in total wealth from departing residents—a figure second only to New York.
The state faces a snowball effect: as more people leave, others feel encouraged to follow suit. The pandemic accelerated this trend, with many residents taking advantage of early retirement options, remote work opportunities, and the chance to relocate for a better quality of life. Increasingly, Illinois residents are choosing to move to states offering warmer climates and lower tax burdens.
Illinois is Losing More Residents than Nearly Any Other State
An analysis of over 240,000 search queries for interstate moves in 2022 revealed that Illinois ranks third worst for the ratio of people moving in versus moving out. For every 42 people moving to Illinois, 100 are looking to leave, meaning about 2.5 times as many residents are planning to move out as those moving in.
In 2021, 81% of Illinois counties saw population declines. These search trends match the overall population loss, which has caused Illinois to drop to the 6th most populous state in the U.S.
|
State |
In-to-Out Move Ratio |
| New Jersey |
34 to 100 |
| 37 to 100 | |
| Illinois |
42 to 100 |
| 47 to 100 | |
| Maryland |
49 to 100 |
A Quarter of Movers Are Choosing Florida or Texas
Many people leaving Illinois are trading in their snowblowers and winter coats for warmer weather. About 1 in 6 movers are heading to Florida, the top destination, while 1 in 10 are moving to Texas, which ranks second.
Over One-Third of Illinois Movers Head to Florida, Texas, and California
Between January and early July 2022, more than one-third of people searching to move out of Illinois were looking at three main destinations. Florida topped the list with 15.31%, followed by Texas at 11.49% and California at 10.18%.
Popular Destinations for Illinois Movers
After the warm favorites like Florida and Texas, Illinois residents often choose California (#3), Arizona (#4) and North Carolina (#5). Nearly 47% of movers from Illinois head to one of these states. Except for California, which had the highest population loss in 2021, the other top destinations are popular for their sunny weather, affordable living and better quality of life.
Illinois Movers Are Leaving the Midwest
It’s clear that most people leaving Illinois aren’t sticking around the Midwest. Even attractions like corn mazes and the famous “Midwest nice” aren’t enough to keep them. Only one nearby state, Indiana, made it into the top ten destinations for Illinois movers, attracting just 3.14% of them.
2023 Outlook – Illinois Residents Are Moving Nationwide
Illinois continues to lose residents but the impact isn’t the same for every city. Some areas are handling the population shift better, while others are losing people faster.
Here’s what we found when analyzing 2022 moving data:
- City Inflow vs. Outflow: We looked at the inflow and outflow rates for cities across Illinois. This revealed which cities are most affected by migration and gave clues about future population growth or decline.
- Top Destinations for Movers: When Illinois residents move out of state, we identified the cities they are most likely to choose in their new states.
- Trends in Popularity: We also looked at which cities are more appealing to movers from urban areas versus those from downstate Illinois, showing different preferences in destinations.
Suburban & Rural Areas in Illinois See the Largest Outflow
Most of Illinois’ population loss is coming from suburban and rural areas. Among the 16 Illinois cities with over 25 inquiries about moving in and out, only Oak Park had more people moving in than leaving. Close-in suburbs like Oak Park are handling the population shift better, while smaller towns and suburbs with long commutes are losing the most residents.
Chicago falls somewhere in the middle. For every 100 people leaving the city, 73 new residents are moving in. In total, 57.78% of moving-related searches involving Chicago were from people looking to leave.
Leaving Illinois – Outbound Moves Lead in 2022
In 2022, data showed that most Illinois cities had more people leaving than moving in. A negative ratio clearly indicates that outflow far exceeded inflow across the state.
Most Searched Illinois Cities for Moving in 2022
Based on data from the first half of 2022, we identified the 16 cities in Illinois that were most searched for either moving to or moving out of.
Oak Park is Illinois’ most popular town, standing out from the trend of people leaving. This suburb, with its excellent restaurants and close connection to Chicago, had 140 people moving in for every 100 moving out. Its recognition as one of the top five “sexiest suburbs” by Chicago Magazine likely contributed to its appeal. With its tree-lined streets and the famous Frank Lloyd Wright prairie-style home and studio, Oak Park offers a classic, welcoming charm.
In contrast, more distant suburbs are losing the most residents. Among the 15 cities with the highest outflow, Schaumburg, Bloomington and Deer Creek top the list.
Schaumburg, located about an hour from downtown Chicago, has seen many residents leave. Without the need to commute, people are rethinking the high home prices and steep property taxes, deciding it’s not worth staying.
Rural areas are also struggling. Bloomington, a college town home to Illinois State University and Illinois Wesleyan University, has experienced a population decline since 2013. The town has been affected by the closure of manufacturing plants and the loss of high-potential students. Many graduates leave for better job opportunities elsewhere.
Champaign, another college town ranked #6 for the highest outflow compared to inflow, is also affected by a “brain drain.” Many graduates from Illinois universities leave the area after finishing school because there aren’t enough job opportunities to keep them there.
Deer Creek, a small village located about 30 minutes from Peoria, is facing a similar challenge. Rural residents are leaving to find better jobs and a higher quality of life outside this tiny community.
Illinois Residents Are Moving to Florida in 2022
Do people leaving Illinois have favorite destinations in Florida or other states? Using data, we identified the top cities across the country where Illinoisans are moving.
Top Destinations for Illinois Movers in 2022
Based on recent data, Ocala, Florida, is the most popular city for people moving out of Illinois.
|
Rank |
City, State |
| 1 |
Ocala, Florida |
|
2 |
Seattle, Washington |
| 3 |
Austin, Texas |
|
4 |
Los Angeles, California |
| 5 |
New York, New York |
|
6 |
Denver, Colorado |
| 7 |
Phoenix, Arizona |
|
8 |
Charlotte, North Carolina |
| 9 |
Tampa, Florida |
|
10 |
Houston, Texas |
| 11 |
Dallas, Texas |
|
12 |
Las Vegas, Nevada |
| 13 |
Atlanta, Georgia |
|
14 |
Nashville, Tennessee |
| 15 |
Boston, Massachusetts |
|
16 |
San Francisco, California |
| 17 |
San Diego, California |
|
18 |
Portland, Oregon |
| 19 |
Indianapolis, Indiana |
|
20 |
Miami, Florida |
Here’s an interesting fact, Miami’s average high temperature in January is more than double that of Chicago. This might explain why so many people leaving Illinois choose Florida as their new home. In fact, three of the top 20 destination cities for Illinois movers are in the Sunshine State.
Ocala, ranked #1, isn’t just popular with people from Chicago—it’s the fastest-growing city in Florida. For every 100 residents leaving Ocala, an impressive 594 people are moving in. With over 30 retirement communities for those aged 55 and older, it seems many retirees, especially those who left the workforce early during COVID, are enjoying Ocala’s 80+ golf courses.
Tampa (#9) and Miami (#20) are also top choices for Illinois residents. These large cities offer plenty of amenities, like art, concerts, restaurants and culture, making them appealing to those who want to maintain an urban lifestyle similar to Chicago.
Big cities are the most popular destinations for people leaving Illinois. In California, cities like Los Angeles (#4), San Francisco (#16), and San Diego (#17) offer the vibrant city life many Illinoisans enjoy. Similarly, in Texas, cities like Austin (#3), Houston (#10) and Dallas (#11) provide plenty of opportunities for entertainment and even places to enjoy Chicago-style deep-dish pizza far from home.
Florida, Texas and California—the three most populous states in the U.S.—each have three cities among the top 20 destinations for people leaving Illinois.
Illinois Residents Choose a Variety of Destinations
People leaving Illinois have a wide range of preferences for their next home but one common factor is the attraction to cities with a vibrant, big-city feel. Interestingly, a mid-sized city tops the list as the most popular route for movers.
|
Rank |
Route (From X to X) |
|
1 |
Downers Grove, Illinois to Ocala, Florida |
| 2 |
Chicago, Illinois to Seattle, Washington |
|
3 |
Chicago, Illinois to Los Angeles, California |
| 4 |
Chicago, Illinois to New York, New York |
| 5 |
Chicago, Illinois to Austin, Texas |
Where Chicago Residents Are Moving
Suburban Chicagoans seem drawn to Ocala, a small community in central Florida. This might be because many movers from these affluent suburbs, where the median household income is about $97,000 (much higher than the national average), are likely well-established retirees wrapping up long careers.
On the other hand, urban Chicago residents aren’t ready to give up city life. They’re moving to major cities like Seattle, Los Angeles, New York and Austin. The one thing these destinations share is their large size and vibrant urban atmosphere.
These cities don’t always offer lower real estate prices or taxes. Instead, they give Illinois residents a chance to start fresh, far from home, while still offering a bit of the big-city vibe they’re used to from Michigan Avenue.
Illinois’ Fastest-Declining Cities – Small, Medium & Large
You might assume that during the global COVID-19 pandemic, Illinois residents would settle in, work remotely and tolerate the state’s harsh winters. However, the opposite happened. Illinois lost residents faster during the pandemic than most other states. The ability to retire early or work from home only sped up the ongoing trend of population decline in the state.
To get a clearer picture of population loss in Illinois, we analyzed cities based on their size. This approach ensured that the biggest declines weren’t just focused on the state’s largest cities. We compared how much cities of different sizes shrank from 2010 to 2022.
Here are the categories:
- Large cities: Populations of 100,000 or more
- Mid-size cities: Populations between 10,000 and 100,000
- Small cities: Populations under 10,000
By analyzing percentage declines, we found that some cities are losing residents faster than others. A detailed map highlights the top cities experiencing this trend, along with information about their size, housing prices and population decline patterns.
Illinois’ Fastest Declining Cities (2010-2020)
Breaking cities into three categories gives a clearer picture of the population decline across a broader range of cities. This approach highlights specific cities in each category that are experiencing the most significant losses.
Here are some patterns we observed:
- Six out of the ten large cities losing the most residents are in the Chicago area.
- The trend flips for small cities, with eight of the ten fastest-declining small towns located in far southern Illinois.
- Among the large cities losing residents, the median home price in June 2022 was about $246,000—34% lower than the national average.
- Not all these cities saw property values increase between 2010 and 2022.
- In North Chicago, median home values jumped by 42% between 2020 and 2022, rising from $122,374 to $174,243. While still affordable, this trend suggests prices may not stay low for long.
- Rockford experienced the largest population decline among cities, with a 5.5% drop from 2010 to 2020.
- Peoria followed closely with a 4.8% decrease.
- Among mid-sized cities, North Chicago lost more residents than any other.
- Alexander County saw the steepest decline among counties, losing 36% of its population.
- The small city with the biggest population loss is Nevada, located in Livingston County.
Chicago Blues – Large Cities in Cook County Shrinking Fastest
Many of Illinois’ largest cities are in the Chicago area, so it’s not surprising that most cities with the biggest population losses are also from this region. However, Chicago itself isn’t on this list. Instead, the fastest-shrinking cities are those on the outskirts of Chicago that lack vibrant downtowns or unique identities. Cities like Thornton, Worth, Niles and Proviso rely heavily on their proximity to Chicago for amenities but are losing residents.
Other major cities on the list face declines due to deindustrialization. Once hubs of manufacturing in the rust belt, these cities lost their economic base as factories closed. With jobs disappearing, people and tax dollars followed. This led to deteriorating infrastructure, struggling schools and towns unable to recover from the economic downturn.
Rockford, once a thriving city thanks to its location on the Rock River, has struggled in a deindustrialized world. The loss of well-paying industrial jobs forced residents to shoulder high local taxes, even as they faced financial hardships. Today, Rockford is ranked as the 17th most dangerous city in America.
Peoria faced similar challenges as its manufacturing base eroded and wasn’t replaced. The departure of Caterpillar, a major farm equipment company that had called Peoria home for nearly 90 years, dealt a significant blow. The company moved its headquarters to Texas, joining many other Illinoisans relocating to the state.
To recover, cities like Peoria need investments in infrastructure, efforts to attract new residents and support for local businesses or research initiatives. However, where the necessary funding will come from remains uncertain.
Mid-size Cities – North Chicago, Macomb & Canton Residents Saying Goodbye
Like the largest cities, many mid-sized cities losing residents are located in northern and central Illinois. These towns once thrived by supporting larger economic hubs but now struggle as those hubs have declined.
Some of these cities are suburbs of St. Louis, Missouri, which itself has a shrinking population. Cities like Cahokia (#4), Centreville (#5), and Belleville (#10) reflect the trend, as 70% of St. Louis suburbs are losing residents.
Canton, ranked #3, is near Peoria and has faced economic challenges for decades. The town was first impacted by the loss of coal mining, which left it prone to sinkholes. Later, a plow factory shut down in the 1980s, and more recently, an ethanol plant failed. With limited job prospects, many residents are leaving behind cornfields in search of better opportunities and a brighter future elsewhere.
The median home price in Illinois was projected to reach $261,561 by the end of 2022.
Even so, the priciest mid-sized city, North Chicago (#1), remains relatively affordable, with a median home price of $174,243. For an even better deal, Centreville offers homes at a median price of just $39,005.
Affordable housing has become a major issue across the country. High housing costs are driving people out of cities with inflated home prices, especially as remote work allows more flexibility to move to less expensive areas.
In Illinois, low housing prices are often a result of neglected infrastructure and population decline. Empty homes have driven prices down, flattened property taxes, and further weakened infrastructure. Many mid-sized cities have suffered visibly, with residents still paying high taxes as cities struggle to provide essential services.
Falling home values and high unemployment rates in these cities contribute to making Illinois one of the riskiest states for the housing market, despite appearing more affordable at first glance.
Small Cities – The Rural South Losing Population
Small cities in the southernmost part of Illinois, located between the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers, were once thriving farming hubs. The rivers played a vital role in irrigating the land and transporting harvests to major cities in the east. Today, however, seven of the ten small cities with the highest population losses are found in this region.
Outside of farming, there’s little industry in the southern tip of Illinois. This lack of opportunity has led many young people to leave the area after graduation, looking for better futures elsewhere. With innovation thriving in other regions, it’s becoming harder to attract students to the area, let alone keep them as long-term residents to build vibrant communities.
The population decline here is even more severe than the broader small-town rust-belt trend. From 2010 to 2020, Alexander County—home to towns like Tamms (#2), Thebes (#3), East Cape Girardeau (#4), Cairo (#5), and McClure (#6)—lost more than a third of its population, making it the fastest-declining county in the U.S. during that time.
No city in Illinois lost as many people as Nevada, IL. In 2010, this small town in Livingston County had a population of 1,333. By 2020, that number had dropped to just 215. The main reason? Prison populations are often counted as local residents and a large women’s correctional facility in the area inflated Nevada’s population. When the facility closed in 2013, the town’s numbers drastically declined, revealing its true size.
Local Perspectives – Why Are People Leaving Illinois?
To better understand the reasons behind the exodus, we spoke with former Illinois residents. Here’s what they had to say (spoiler: high taxes are a common theme)
Challenges for Small Businesses
“I left Illinois mainly because of the high cost of living. For someone like me, who wanted to work with smaller businesses, it was overwhelming to manage things on my own, especially as prices kept going up. Everything felt more expensive compared to back home.” – John Richards, former Centreville resident
High Property Taxes
“Taxes here are much higher compared to nearby states. For instance, vehicle registration costs $151 per year for a standard gas-powered car, while other states base fees on the vehicle’s value. Property taxes are another big issue—our 2,000 sq. ft. home has an annual property tax of $4,000 to $5,000. In Indiana, a similar home would only cost about $1,500 in property taxes.” – Sid, Southern Illinois
Traffic & Frustration
“I’ve lived in Illinois for 35 years and I’m ready to leave. High property taxes, corrupt politicians and additional taxes have made the cost of living unbearable. Poor infrastructure planning has led to traffic congestion and road rage, and there aren’t enough outdoor attractions to balance it out.” – Mark Roman, Northern Chicago Suburbs
Where Corn Still Reigns
Supporters of Illinois highlight advancements in agricultural technology and advanced manufacturing, including AI and robotics, emerging in central Illinois. However, outdated stereotypes about the region make it difficult to attract new residents who could help boost the economy.
For many Illinoisans leaving the state, the issue seems to be a lack of current opportunities, prompting them to seek better prospects elsewhere.
Until more tech-driven job opportunities are available across the state, Illinois will continue to lose residents. From the suburbs of Chicagoland to the river towns in Alexander County, nearly 400 miles apart, the impact is felt statewide. Ironically, this decline stems from Illinois’ success in the last century, when its rivers and railways helped build thriving cities around industries that have since disappeared.
One day, central Illinois could position itself as a tech-focused hub, similar to North Carolina’s Research Triangle in Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill, which has been a major draw for new residents to that state.
Achieving this won’t be easy. However, with Illinois’ legacy of embracing diversity, hard work and making bold moves—like going from log cabins to the White House—it’s hard to count out the potential of the Midwest’s most resilient state.
Sources & Methodology
This report is based on data from the U.S. Census Bureau and Illinois Policy. Information about moving costs was gathered from STI Chicago Movers, while home values were referenced using Zillow’s Home Value Index. Rent data was sourced from Housing Data.
Data Collection & Analysis
This data was collected between January 1, 2022 and July 5, 2022. It includes searches from individuals planning to move, either on their own or by hiring a moving company, within the following year.
The analysis covered two main sections:
Section 1
- State-based in-to-out move ratio for 2022, analyzing over 240,000 queries.
- The most popular state for Illinois residents moving out in 2022, based on 7,259 queries.
Section 2
- In-to-out move ratios for Illinois cities in 2022, focusing on cities with at least 25 inbound and 25 outbound queries (16 cities total).
- The most popular out-of-state cities for Illinois residents in 2022.
- The most common moving routes for Illinois residents heading out of state in 2022.
